Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail

Acadia National Park, Maine

Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail is a hiking trail in Hancock County, Maine. It is within Acadia National Park. It is 0.9 miles long and begins at 275 feet altitude. Traveling the entire trail is 1.9 miles with a total elevation gain of 998 feet. The trail ends near Dorr Mountain (elevation 1,237 feet).

Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail

3Acadia National Park, Maine

Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail is a hiking trail in Hancock County, Maine. It is within Acadia National Park. It is 0.9 miles long and begins at 275 feet altitude. Traveling the entire trail is 1.9 miles with a total elevation gain of 998 feet. The trail ends near Dorr Mountain (elevation 1,237 feet).

"The short climb up and views atop the 470-foot Kebo Mountain at the start of the Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail are just a preview of the hike and vistas to come. The trail begins with a series of seven small stone steps, then climbs steeply up rocky knobs and more stone steps, providing views beginning at 0.1 mile, all the way to Kebo at 0.3 mile. To the northeast are Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, with Cadillac Mountain’s north ridge to the west and Dorr Mountain, where the trail is heading, to the south." Read more

"Variety abounds on this circuit: Go up Dorr via iron ladders and rungs, come down the mountain’s open south ridge, and circle around via a relatively easy section of the Canon Brook Trail that may have been part of a pre–Revolutionary War route. This is one of a couple dozen hikes featured in the park service handout “Paths into the Past: Acadia’s Historic Trails.” This challenging circuit offers nontechnical climbing up iron ladders and rungs, panoramic views from Dorr’s open south ridge, and an opportunity to walk along historic routes, part of which may have been a Native American carry trail to Otter Creek. Beginning at the Ladder Trail, one of the most challenging ways up Dorr Mountain with its alternating iron ladders, rungs, and hundreds of stone steps, you immediately rise above the gorge between Dorr and Champlain Mountains, getting views of the Porcupine Islands to the northeast." Read more

"This loop leads to the highest point on America’s east coast and the most comprehensive view of Acadia National Park. Before scaling Cadillac Mountain, the journey includes a scenic climb up and over the bald summit of Dorr Mountain and a short scramble through a narrow notch that picturesquely frames the distant ocean.
The return trek winds down a flat, open ridge, passes a long a series of cascades and flumes, and concludes near the edge of a wetland teeming with wildlife. The hike, 6.5 miles in length, has significant elevation change and a couple of rugged sections to ensure that you earn all of the many rewards along the way." Read more

"Dorr Mountain is just to the east of Cadillac Mountain. The hike follows several historic trails up and across the mountain’s east face. The Emery Path is a steep climb almost entirely on stone steps and granite bedrock with fine views to the east and north.
The Schiff Path passes through a stunted oak-pine forest full of blueberries before turning west and climbing the mountain across a series of granite slabs. Across the summit the hike descends steeply into the notch between Dorr and Cadillac Mountains. In the notch you pick up the Gorge Path and descend down a mostly dry streambed past high cliffs and waterfalls. There are shorter ways to climb and descend Dorr Mountain, but this loop captures many of the mountain’s most dramatic features and views." Read more

Dorr Mountain North Ridge Trail Trip Reports

Spectacular views of 270 degrees around ocean from Summit. (only Caddillac Mountain occludes from 360 degree view.) We traveled down from Summit to Cannon brook. Not much shade and hike almost entirely along rock ridge.

Dorr was unique. The east face trail overlooking frenchman's bay is padded by heavy flat stone steps nearly the whole way up; a tribute to the efforts of trail makers from days long ago. The descent on the north ridge trail was difficult with loose stones, thick piles of leaves left over from last autumn and slippery areas of water trickling over smooth rocks. Amazing views of frenchman's bay on the descent. Dorr summit looked onto Cadillac mountain revealing a peak littered with people along the ridge; tourists no doubt who drove to the top.

This circuit consisted of Sieur de Monts, Dorr Mountain, Cadillac Mountain, South Ridge and Canon Brooke. Parking in the Sieur de Monts lot we started off up Dorr Mountain along chiseled steps. These steps offer a good artistic photo, giving the viewer the question of “what’s around the next corner?” Our hike was made even more mystical by the rolling fog, with rain showers and blowing wind. Not exactly a nor’easter but close enough.
Reaching the top of Dorr Mountain, we followed the rock cairns across a rocky landscape, a bush rising here and there to break the barren scene. The fog and rain lifted for 15 minutes as we surveyed the view of the islands in the ocean and of a ferry heading for Canada. We also got a glimpse of the Ravine trail between Dorr and Cadillac Mountains whose sheer cliff sides looked most interesting viewed from above.